The Wheelchair War God Is Speedrunning Hogwarts

Nox poked his head out of the cat bed, lightly leapt onto the bed, and curled up beside her.

She stroked the cat's soft fur, took out The Basic Principles and Techniques of Occlumency from the hidden pocket of her wheelchair, leaned against the headboard, and continued reading.

With her earlier experience, she understood the basic material in the book much more thoroughly.

A few more practice sessions, and she should be considered a beginner.

It seemed that she would need to do more of this sort of mental training in the future.

In the common room, Ron, who was playing chess with Harry and Hermione, suddenly sneezed.

Author's note: A reminder that tonight's bounty ends.

Whose Child Are We Skipping Ahead To? (Not Really)

In the original story, almost nothing happened during the nearly two months from Halloween to Christmas.

But only a week had passed since November began, and Vera already felt that something was off.

First, of course, was Quirrell, the officially designated first-year villain, whose behavior had been growing increasingly strange lately.

Not only had he been absent from more and more classes, with other professors covering half his lessons each week.

Whenever he appeared in the Great Hall, his face was frighteningly pale, and his large turban was wrapped even tighter than usual.

Second, Hagrid had been frequently entering and leaving the Forbidden Forest lately. They had gone to Hagrid's Hut twice, and each time, they could see how worried he was.

Vera had tried asking him about it, but Hagrid always hemmed and hawed before changing the subject.

On top of that, the black mist prompts around the castle had become increasingly frequent. Though faint, most pointed toward the Forbidden Forest.

Vera guessed that Voldemort, perhaps because of his previous injuries, was already desperate to hunt Unicorns to sustain his life.

But judging from Quirrell's condition, they probably had yet to succeed under Hagrid's strict watch.

But... it was only a matter of time.

In Vera's memory, according to the original timeline, the Forbidden Forest incident should have happened around Easter.

Had her intervention caused the plot to accelerate?

The thought made her worry.

If Voldemort's actions happened earlier or changed somehow, would Harry be dragged into unknown danger?

She had to be prepared to deal with it.

Just as she was still considering countermeasures, Harry suddenly patted her shoulder from behind. "Vera! You're spacing out again."

Vera came back to her senses and looked around. Only then did she remember that they seemed to have Charms that morning, and they needed to hurry to class.

"Sorry," she said softly. "I got distracted. Let's go."

Watching Vera move her wheelchair straight ahead, Harry turned to exchange a look with Hermione before hurrying forward to help push the wheelchair.

"Vera, it feels like you've been spacing out more and more lately." As she pushed the wheelchair, Harry asked worriedly, "Did something happen, or...?"

Harry pressed her lips together. Since last time, she had learned to restrain herself and never directly brought up Vera's physical condition again.

Hermione leaned closer as well, looking at her with concern. "Didn't Madam Pomfrey say after the last examination that she could provide a new medicine? Why not try it?"

Before today, Vera had occasionally "spaced out" while practicing Occlumency.

So, to reassure them, Vera had used Madam Pomfrey's suggestion from that day in the infirmary as an excuse.

Of course, she had not revealed that the precious ingredient was Phoenix Tears.

Because of that explanation, although Harry and Hermione often saw Vera spacing out, they only thought she was frequently lost in thought because she did not know how to decide.

Vera lowered her gaze. "I haven't decided yet."

Harry truly could not understand her hesitation and could not help saying, "But since the headmaster offered it himself, that means he thinks it's worth trying."

Before Vera could answer, Hermione seemed to realize something. She gently patted Harry's hand, signaling her to stop first.

Then she bent down until she was eye level with Vera in the wheelchair. "Vera, are you... afraid the treatment won't work?"

Instinctively, Vera clenched her fingers.

She stared fixedly into Hermione's eyes, where her own reflection appeared in those warm brown irises.

Many times, Vera had to admit that this Hermione she knew seemed even better at reading people than the one from the original story.

Phoenix Tears were indeed an excellent medicine. They possessed powerful healing properties, could dispel negative effects, and were also the only antidote to Basilisk Venom.

It could be said that before Vera's Magic Circuit Awakening, Phoenix Tears had indeed been the medicine she most wanted to try.

But... after the previous failure, when even Source Flow Reforging had not allowed her to stand, she inevitably became more cautious.

It was not that she did not want to use them. She simply no longer held much hope.

After all, Phoenix Tears in the original story were better at healing wounds and curing poison. Whether they would have any effect on her inability to walk was still unknown.

Vera sighed softly, her silver-gray hair falling over her shoulders. "I just... don't want to give myself too much hope."

Hearing the faint tremor in her voice, Hermione tenderly placed a hand on her knee.

"It's okay," Harry suddenly said, taking her hand. Warmth flowed through their touching skin. "No matter the result, we'll be with you."

Hermione also said gently, "Vera, let us go with you, okay? No matter the result, at least... at least try once."

Vera raised her head and looked at the two young faces close before her. Her throat suddenly tightened.

She took a deep breath and nodded gently. "Okay."

Although her Occlumency was still only at the beginner stage, she had already benefited from it and could control her emotions better.

Even if she had to face Dumbledore then, she would not show weakness.

As for guarding against the possibility that he might use Legilimency...

Honestly, even if this Dumbledore was the white wizard version, as long as her current behavior remained basically normal, Dumbledore had almost no reason to use Legilimency on her casually.

Her recent practice had merely been a precaution against possible accidents in the more distant future.

Soon, that afternoon, after finishing the day's final class, Vera was eagerly pushed into the infirmary by Harry and Hermione.

Madam Pomfrey seemed even happier than expected to see all three of them arrive together.

After performing a few simple examinations, she finally asked, "Miss Black, have you made your decision?"

Vera turned to glance at the two figures waiting by the door and nodded gently. "Yes, Madam. No matter the result, I think I should give it a try."

"Wonderful!" Madam Pomfrey said enthusiastically. "I'll notify Headmaster Dumbledore right away. Please wait here for a moment."

As she hurried away, Harry and Hermione, who had been waiting at the door, quickly slipped inside.

"Well?" Hermione hurriedly asked.

Vera nodded gently. "Madam Pomfrey went to inform the headmaster."

Harry rubbed her hands nervously at the side. "I wonder what kind of treatment it will be..."

For some reason, that gesture always made Vera imagine an expectant father waiting outside a delivery room.

She immediately came back to herself and hurriedly threw that strange association out of her mind.

Hermione took her hand at just the right moment. "Don't worry. Everything will be all right."

Vera squeezed back and nodded softly.

Honestly, she was not as calm as she looked. Her heart had been pounding fiercely in her chest, but she did not want them to worry, so she could only keep it under control.

Author's note: The bounty has ended! There were eight bonus chapters in total, and thank you all very much for your support! Five chapters have already been repaid, so there are three remaining. Since the author has no chapters saved up, it will probably take two or three days before they are released all at once. Thank you for your understanding.

The Effects of Phoenix Tears

Not long afterward, Madam Pomfrey returned with Dumbledore behind her.

From up close, the old man was even taller than Vera had imagined. Today, he wore a deep blue robe decorated with stars, and the blue eyes behind his half-moon glasses were especially bright.

The moment he arrived, Harry and Hermione, who had been gathered around Vera, immediately stood up and appeared somewhat restrained.

"Good afternoon, Miss Potter, Miss Granger." Dumbledore greeted them with a gentle nod, showing no special attitude.

Then he turned to Vera in the wheelchair. "Miss Black, are you ready to begin the treatment?"

Vera instinctively tensed, but she kept her expression calm. "Yes, Professor. Thank you very much for your generosity."

Dumbledore smiled faintly. "You may call me Professor. I am happy to help my students. However..."

His gaze rested briefly on Harry and Hermione. "During the treatment, perhaps the two young ladies could wait outside?"

Harry clearly wanted to say something, but Hermione tugged at her sleeve. "Of course, Professor. We'll wait outside."

After the two left, Dumbledore took a small crystal vial from his robe pocket. It contained several drops of clear liquid that glimmered with a pearly luster beneath the lights.

"I happen to have a phoenix, and it has been in a good mood recently," he said with a wink. "So collecting these tears was not difficult."

He handed the vial to Madam Pomfrey. "I believe they will work better when combined with the potion Severus prepared earlier."

Madam Pomfrey nodded and immediately went to prepare the potion.

Dumbledore turned to Vera. "Phoenix Tears possess powerful healing abilities, but they are not omnipotent. Each person's physical condition differs, and so will the results."

Vera understood that he was tactfully reminding her not to get her hopes up too high. "I understand, Professor."

Perhaps curious about her current attitude, Dumbledore's azure eyes watched her through his half-moon glasses. His gaze was gentle, yet seemed capable of seeing through people's hearts.

"Miss Black," he suddenly asked, "I understand that you grew up in the Muggle world. Have you adjusted well to life at Hogwarts?"

Vera paused slightly, then nodded. "Yes, Professor. It is very nice here."

After a pause, she added softly, "I cherish this place."

Even if she had transmigrated, suddenly finding herself in a body like this had still left her deeply stifled by the enormous gap.

Only after coming to Hogwarts, gaining so many people around her, having normal social interactions, and finding goals she could pursue, had her mindset gradually regained balance.

Dumbledore looked thoughtful, and his gaze softened somewhat. "Hogwarts will always welcome every young wizard who sincerely loves magic."

Just then, Madam Pomfrey returned with a steaming crystal cup in her hand. "The potion is ready."

Under her guidance, Vera lay down on the treatment bed, while Dumbledore rose and waited outside the bed curtains.

"Take the potion first." Madam Pomfrey handed her a cup of dark purple liquid. "It will help your body absorb the effects of the Phoenix Tears better."

Vera accepted the cup, took a deep breath, and tipped her head back to drink the potion in one gulp.

It was bitter with a hint of sweetness. The moment she swallowed it, she felt a warm current spread from her stomach throughout her body, bringing indescribable comfort.

Next, Madam Pomfrey used her wand to guide the Phoenix Tears from the crystal vial, making them float in the air and form a string of sparkling droplets.

"Now, relax," she said softly. "Let the tears seep into your skin."

The Phoenix Tears slowly fell. The moment they touched Vera's skin, they were immediately absorbed.

In an instant, Vera felt warmth spread through her entire body, as though sunlight had seeped into every inch of her skin.

But immediately afterward, a sharp pain erupted from her spine, making her tense uncontrollably.

"Bear with it, child," Madam Pomfrey said, pressing a hand against her shoulder. "The tears are taking effect."

"I..." Feeling as though the Magic Circuit within her body was about to activate automatically under the stimulation of the Phoenix Tears, Vera could only grit her teeth and say with difficulty, "Leave me alone... please!"

Sweat soaked her silver-gray hair, plastering it against her pale cheeks and making it impossible not to feel pity for her.

From her few interactions with Vera, Madam Pomfrey had roughly come to understand the powerful pride hidden beneath the well-mannered exterior of the child before her.

This child would never want others to see her in such a disheveled state.

Under these circumstances, so as not to distract Vera, Madam Pomfrey could only nod and turn to leave the bed curtains, leaving this small space to Vera alone.

Once she was the only one left, Vera panted continuously, clutching the bedsheets tightly with both hands as she felt the stabbing pain gradually turn into burning heat, as though flames were burning inside her body.

The Magic Circuit within her body activated automatically, golden patterns appearing and disappearing beneath her skin as they rapidly flowed through her body under the power of the tears.

"Source Flow Reforging!" Vera gritted her teeth and murmured.

Her Magic Circuit operated at full power. Crimson and golden patterns flowed beneath her skin like living things, intertwining with the power of the Phoenix Tears.

She felt the pain in her spine gradually lessen, replaced by a strange tingling sensation, as though countless tiny currents were dancing at the ends of her nerves.

After an unknown amount of time, the intense pain finally began to fade, replaced by an unprecedented feeling of ease.

Vera slowly opened her eyes and found that she was still lying on the treatment bed, her entire body drenched in sweat.

She tried moving her fingers, then her arms and body. There was nothing unusual.